Skip links and keyboard navigation

closeThe former Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing is merging into new departments.
This site will be updated while the new Department of Environment and Science and Sport and Recreation websites are being established.

Seasonal closures still in place for some Cape York parks

10 May 2016

Travellers heading to national parks on Cape York Peninsula are urged to check the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) park alerts and reliable road-conditions websites, as some areas will be closed until mid June or later.

For the safety of travellers and to avoid road damage, many of the Peninsula’s visitor sites and tracks are closed each wet season.

This year some areas in the south of Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land – CYPAL) will re-open on Monday 16 May, while the areas north of the Lakefield ranger base will remain closed until further notice. A full list is below.

Elsewhere on Cape York, Cape Melville National Park (CYPAL) is anticipated to re-open 1 August 2016, subject to road and weather conditions.

Most camp sites in Oyala Thumotang National Park (CYPAL) should re-open on 20 June 2016, subject to road and weather conditions.

Exceptions at that park include Governors Waterhole and Horsetailer Waterhole which are expected to open in late July subject to roadworks, and Langi Lagoon and Night Paddock Lagoon which will remain closed in 2016 for cultural reasons.

At Jardine River National Park and Heathlands Regional Park, most campsites are open with the exception of the Captain Billy Landing track and camp site. The Captain Billy Landing track is being upgraded using heavy machinery, so that track will be closed until 14 June 2016.

All campsites within Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL) are now open.